Everton have suspended an Academy coach and member of their women’s football
team after a fracas at the club’s staff Christmas party.

Mick O’Brien, who coaches children between nine and 11 at the Merseyside club, has been accused of punching the women’s goalkeeper Danielle Hill in the face during a night out in Liverpool last weekend.

Police are investigating the incident following conflicting accounts of what happened. O’Brien is claiming he was initially attacked by Hill, the grandaughter of former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Tony Hateley and niece of ex-England striker Mark Hateley.

Neither is understood to have sustained serious injuries, but they have been told to stay away from the club while the facts are established.

Everton are making no comment on the incident.

Hill, Everton’s back-up goalkeeper, clashed with O’Brien at around midnight following an event at The Blue Bar in the city’s trendy Albert Dock area.

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Administrative staff, academy and community coaches, as well as the women’s team attended the party, but manager David Moyes was not present. Neither were any senior members of his coaching team or first team players.

A police statement said: “Merseyside Police can confirm an investigation is underway following the assault of a 24 year-old woman in Liverpool city centre on Sunday, December 16.

“The incident occurred near to the entrance of the Blue Bar in the Albert Dock at about midnight. The 24-year-old was punched in the face during the incident. An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing.”

Premier League clubs tend to be on tenterhooks during the festive season as the revelries can often lead to unwanted, booze-fuelled attention.

With the volume of staff at leading clubs now expanding, there are constant reminders to all employees, even those who would usually be considered anonymous members of the backroom team or playing ranks, about their duty to behave in a manner which will not cause embarrassment.